(Newser)
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Egypt's first democratically elected leader is headed to New York for his first official visit to the United States, and Mohammed Morsi tells the New York Times that he envisions his nation and Washington could be "real friends," though he tacitly acknowledges real tensions exist at the moment. “Successive American administrations essentially purchased with American taxpayer money the dislike, if not the hatred, of the peoples of the region,” by propping up friendly regimes like that of predecessor Hosni Mubarak, he says, adding that the ball is in America's court to repair regional relations.

Morsi will be in town to attend the UN General Assembly, but he won't be stopping by the White House, which the Times notes had a chilly response to his request for a meeting with President Obama. Morsi earlier took heat from Obama for being slow to condemn attacks on the US embassy in Egypt, which he said he "could never condone, but we need to deal with the situation wisely." In a separate interview with state media picked up by al-Jazeera, Morsi addressed the Syria unrest, calling Iran "a main player in the region that could have an active and supportive role in solving the Syrian problem."

Murahu, you forgot about the cool $ billion they will want to seal the deal.

Murahu

Sep 23, 2012 11:37 PM CDT

Of course, the US can be friends with the new Egypt. All we have to do is arrest the maker of the film that pokes fun at Muhammad. Then, close all synagogues. Then, demand that women cover their hair and most of their faces. Then, exterminate all homosexuals. Then, avoid interference when Egypt attacks Israel. Then... Sure, the US can be friends with Morsi's Mulsim Brotherhood Egypt, as long as we appease these fanatics with all their criminal demands.

lostmtnman

Sep 23, 2012 6:25 PM CDT

Unfortunately for the wing nuts, the world has changed. The big stick will not work any more. Keep throwing the swagger around and we will be in another war before you can say Muslim. Our blind support for Israel will be our downfall in the region, It is past time for the US to take a leadership role in the region but a role that is based on respect for all sides, not just treating the Arabs like second class idiots. The bad part is that politics in this country will not let the sane people take control.